Gutierrez, Stanley file to run for Lubbock City Council seats

Frank Gutierrez will make another try at unseating District 1 Councilman Victor Hernandez.

Gutierrez will challenge Hernandez in the May city election, announcing his candidacy for the North Lubbock council seat at a news conference Wednesday morning, Jan. 29, at City Hall.

The 65-year-old retired Republican political activist led an unsuccessful recall campaign against Hernandez last year.

Gutierrez said he’ll bring a different leadership style to City Hall after a 2013 marked with perceived council infighting, investigations into Lubbock Power & Light and a contentious council vote to fire City Manager Lee Ann Dumbauld.

Wednesday was the first day to file to run in Lubbock’s May municipal election for three City Council seats and mayor. The filing period ends Feb. 28.

Gutierrez and Maurice Stanley, who announced earlier this month his intention to run for the open District 3 council seat, were the only candidates to file with the city secretary’s office.

Hernandez said he plans to run for re-election.

Gutierrez last sought office in 2008, running as a Republican for Lubbock County Precinct 3 county commissioner. He was defeated by Democrat Gilbert Flores.

Hernandez, a Democrat, said he plans to take the challenge seriously, even after District 1 voters rejected a recall effort against Hernandez in November.

He survived the recall attempt with 58.47 percent of District 1 voters’ support — 911 ballots were cast voting against the recall and 647 for the initiative launched in part by Gutierrez, who criticized Hernandez for lack of leadership.

“It’ll be a spirited campaign, there’s not doubt in my mind,” Hernandez said Monday.

Hernandez said his goals for a new term include supporting economic development in North and East Lubbock as well as downtown redevelopment.

“We’re trying to work to keep the momentum going,” he said.

Gutierrez said he would also focus on economic development opportunities in District 1 as well as securing a power source for Lubbock ahead of 2019, when Lubbock and the West Texas Municipal Power Agency’s purchased power agreement with Xcel Energy expires.

Gutierrez wouldn’t go into the power search process with an agenda, he said, adding he wants Lubbock’s Electric Utility Board to present the best options to the council.

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